Discover Illange

Illange lies on the right bank of the Moselle. The village has a landscape that rises between the plateau and the valley; the Véloroute Charles le Téméraire also passes through the village and runs alongside the river. This combination offers different themes to consider when choosing a hotel in Illange: you can plan your stay around your interest in local and church history, the riverside landscape or sports facilities.

The Fort, a walking trail and local history

Fort d’Illange was incorporated into the Maginot Line in 1940. Walking paths have been laid out on its grounds, and the historic trail around the fort is 2,200 metres long. The interiors of the fort buildings are not open to visitors. Check the latest access information before visiting, as conditions may change. Roman history can also be seen near Illange: in summer, when water levels are low, large stone slabs from a Roman diverticulum emerge near a Moselle oxbow lake.

The historic centre reflects the traditional layout of an agricultural village. It includes terraced houses and footpaths 3 to 7 metres wide. These Usiors were used to store wood and manure in front of the properties. Viticulture is also part of the town’s history: it shaped village life in Illange for almost 17 centuries. This winemaking tradition adds another aspect to the local history represented by the built traces of the rural past.

Saint-Roch Chapel and Saint-Hubert Church

The small Saint-Roch Chapel was built in the Gothic style and is used as a cultural venue. Numerous exhibitions are held there each year. If you want to visit a particular exhibition, check the latest dates, as the programme may change. The chapel houses two 19th-century polychrome-painted limestone statues: Saint Roch and Saint Wendelin. Both are listed in the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage. After the war, local volunteers restored the chapel; it acquired its present appearance in the 1960s.

The Neo-Gothic Saint-Hubert Church stands in the centre of Illange. It is dedicated to Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters and foresters. The construction history of the present church centres on 1881: its foundation stone was laid on 24 March, and the new church was consecrated on 26 October. During the consecration, a lead reliquary containing important relics of four martyrs was placed in the high altar: Saint Livier, Saint Valentinus, Saint Crescentius and Saint Innocentus. Saint Livier was martyred in Metz.

The furnishings also reflect different periods: a painting of Christ from the Munich School was installed in the church in 1889 and is now above the altar. One of the church’s three bells dates from the construction of the new church. The other two were cast in 1950 to replace the bells requisitioned during the Second World War. The chapel and church each offer their own historical perspective: Saint-Roch combines Gothic architecture with exhibitions and sculptures, while Saint-Hubert is distinguished in particular by its construction history and furnishings.

Cycling and other activities

The Véloroute Charles le Téméraire passes through Illange and runs alongside the Moselle. The village also offers various facilities, each with its own focus. The sports complex, opened in 2024, includes a pump track, a multisport court, a fitness trail and fitness areas. On Rue des Prés, an educational site offers a sensory discovery trail; the site was renovated in 2022. Together with the historic trail at the fort, these provide different ways to include exercise, local history and the riverside landscape in your travel plans.

Getting there and finding your way around

At the edge of the village, there is access to the A31 motorway towards Metz and Luxembourg. Thionville railway station is 4 kilometres away and can be reached by car in less than 10 minutes. There are also regular bus services. If you plan to travel by bus, it is a good idea to check the latest timetable.

Discover more destinations: Hanviller, Petit-Réderching, Bourgaltroff, Amnéville, Montigny-Lès-Metz, Contz-Les-Bains, Marsal, Kœnigsmacker

For the broader travel overview: Moselle.